Job Description

Senior Economist – Governance

Job #: req38159 Organization: World Bank Sector: Governance Grade: GG Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English, Spanish Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 9/14/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of financing and knowledge for developing countries and a global partnership dedicated to ending extreme poverty, boosting shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners to design and implement solutions informed by data, research, technology, and global experience. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.

In Latin America and the Caribbean (LCR), the World Bank Group serves 30 client countries with diverse development needs, ranging from large and sophisticated middle-income economies to IDA countries, small Caribbean states, and fragile contexts. Despite the region’s considerable resources and dynamic societies, deep inequalities persist, and many people remain vulnerable to poverty and exclusion. The Bank’s strategy in LCR focuses on promoting inclusive growth, investing in human capital, and building resilience, including through stronger governance, better institutions, economic integration, and greater mobilization of private finance.

The regional context is increasingly complex. Sluggish growth, institutional weaknesses, climate change, elevated food and energy prices, and high debt levels are placing additional pressure on governments and disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. The World Bank—and the Prosperity Practice Group in particular—has an important role to play in helping countries strengthen institutions, improve public sector performance, and sustain reform momentum in this challenging environment.

The World Bank’s Governance and Institutions Unit for LCR (GOV PSI), part of the Prosperity Practice Group, works with governments and stakeholders to improve the performance, accountability, transparency, and effectiveness of public institutions. The unit applies a problem-driven and evidence-based approach, combining global knowledge of reform experience with a strong understanding of country-specific institutional constraints and opportunities.

GOV PSI works across several core business lines, including public financial management; domestic resource mobilization and tax administration; state-owned enterprises and corporate governance; public institutions, including civil service, center of government, legislatures, and administration of justice; and decentralization and subnational governance. The unit also supports cross-cutting priorities such as digital governance, anti-corruption, and political economy analysis.

The unit delivers a broad range of products and services, including diagnostics, technical assistance, advisory services, learning and knowledge activities, and the design and supervision of investment projects, results-based operations, and development policy operations.

GOV PSI is seeking an outstanding Senior Economist to strengthen its work on public sector and institutional reforms in LCR, with particular emphasis on public financial management, fiscal management, applied economics, and data-driven analysis. The selected candidate will contribute to policy dialogue, analytical and advisory work, and lending operations, working closely with GOV PSI colleagues, the broader Prosperity team in the region, and global Governance colleagues. The Senior Economist will report to the GOV PSI Practice Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Economist will support and help lead the Governance Practice’s work program on fiscal and public financial management, institutional reform, and public sector effectiveness across LCR. Responsibilities include:

• Lead and contribute to policy dialogue and business development with client governments on public sector, fiscal, and public financial management reforms.
• Prepare and oversee high-quality analytical and diagnostic work, including expenditure reviews, public financial management assessments, institutional reform analyses, and other public policy products.
• Lead and support the preparation and supervision of lending operations, including investment projects, results-based operations, and development policy operations.
• Lead and support the preparation, implementation, and monitoring of Bank-executed trust funds and related advisory engagements.
• Collaborate with other Global Practices, particularly within the Prosperity Practice Group, to design and deliver integrated country engagements and operations.
• Provide technical inputs to initiatives led by other Global Practices where institutional reform, public finance, or governance expertise is required.
• Contribute to partnerships and knowledge exchange with international organizations and development partners working on institutional development and public sector reform.
• Support the design and delivery of learning, training, and knowledge-sharing activities for internal and external audiences.
• Undertake other assignments, as agreed with the Practice Manager, consistent with the unit’s priorities and work program.

Selection Criteria

• At least a master’s degree, preferably in economics, public finance, accounting, business administration, public policy, or a closely related field, with strong knowledge of public financial management and fiscal management.
• At least 8 years of relevant professional experience and a sustained record of high-quality results in economics, institutional reform, public policy analysis, public financial management, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, or advising on public financial management and institutional reforms, particularly in planning, budgeting, public investment management, fiscal management, and the quality of public spending.
• Experience as a government practitioner, including as a civil servant or public official in areas related to fiscal policy, budgeting, planning, or public financial management, is highly desirable.
• Proven ability to lead policy dialogue and deliver analytical and advisory services with senior government officials and development partners.
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to use economic evidence, data, and diagnostics to inform policy recommendations and operational design.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical issues clearly and build productive client relationships.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish is required.

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES:

• Client Orientation – Builds and sustains productive client relationships, balances competing demands, and provides evidence-based advice grounded in sound diagnosis and strong technical knowledge.
• Drive for Results – Identifies the resources, partnerships, and practical solutions needed to deliver results across complex engagements involving multiple stakeholders.
• Teamwork and Inclusion – Promotes collaboration, keeps teams organized and focused, and actively seeks and integrates diverse perspectives.
• Knowledge, Learning, and Communication – Shares knowledge, lessons, and good practices across units and with clients and partners and communicates clearly and persuasively with varied audiences.
• Business Judgment and Analytical Decision Making – Serves as a trusted advisor, applies sound judgment, and supports decisions that align institutional priorities with development impact.

This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.